Pharmaceutical treatment blister card

ABSTRACT

A multifold, pharmaceutical treatment blister card ( 10 ) suitable for dispensing unit dosages of a pharmaceutical composition ( 80 ). The multifold card ( 10 ) may be further characterized as a two layer card section containing blister cavities ( 20, 22 ) there between, wherein a security strip ( 32 ) is located between the cavities and one of the layers, and wherein the security strip must be removed prior to dislodging the pharmaceutical composition from the card.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is claims the benefit of provisional application U.S.Ser. No. 60/362,495, filed Mar. 7, 2002.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a child resistant, pharmaceuticaltreatment blister card suitable for incorporation of literature in theform of dosing schedules, safety information, etc. relating to apharmaceutical composition stored within the card for dispensing by apatient. More particularly, the invention relates to a child resistantblister card section characterized by a safety strip incorporated intothe card that must be withdrawn therefrom prior to removal of thepharmaceutical composition. Particular preferred embodiments, includingbi-fold and tri-fold cards are further described herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many forms of dispensing containers and storage vessels forpharmaceutical compositions have been introduced to the market in recentyears. Pharmaceutical compositions, particularly those in the form ofpre-measured tablets, pills, powders and capsules have been dispensedfrom vials, bottles, or blister packages.

More recently, blister packages have been designed to be childresistant. That is, the packages have been designed to be particularlyresistant to opening by younger children yet manageable for an adult. Inmany cases, multiple steps must be performed in sequence to open a childsafety blister package. Another convenience of a child safety, blisterpackage is that individual dosages of a composition may be separatelysealed in blister cavities, wherein each individual cavity has the childsafety feature. After administration of a dosage of a composition, theempty portion of the blister cavity may be removed from remain cavitiesand disposed.

Along with instructions and scheduling information that may be includedin the pharmaceutical treatment card, the blister package may serve asan aid for self-administration of a composition as prescribed. See U.S.Pat. Nos. 3,912,082; 4,011,949; 4,125,190; 5,088,603; 5,172,812;5,758,774; 6,155,414; 4,752,003; 6,155,423; and 5,915,559.

Presently, there is a need for a more child resistant blister package,perhaps incorporated into a pharmaceutical treatment card. Generally,the child resistant, blister package must present difficult for youngchildren, e.g. ranging of about 27 to about 60 months of age, to open.At the same time, the pharmaceutical treatment blister card shouldpresent no difficulty for adults to open. A pharmaceutical treatmentcard incorporating a blister package may provide useful instruction,information and advertising space for the manufacturer of apharmaceutical composition contained therein.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,927,500 to Godfrey et al., issued Jul. 27, 1999 suggesta pharmaceutical containment package characterized by cover and backinglayers constructed of a reinforcing fabric substrate having a blistercard disposed there between. However, Godfrey et al. fails to provide achild resistant blister within the package. Generally, an individualdosage of a pharmaceutical composition may be pushed through aperforated backing conforming to the general shape of the dosage.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,775,505 to Hofmann et al., issued Aug. 26, 1998 teachesa childproof, blister package, characterized as a multiple layerassembly, having a 2×3 array of individually sealed, blister cavitieswith vertical and horizontal, perforation lines for separating eachblister pack. At the intersections of vertical and horizontalperforation lines, there are cavities wherein the layers thereunder areunsealed. Separation of a section of the package produces a pull-tabfrom the unsealed area, wherein pulling the tab separates the layer fromthe blister cavity to expose a pill.

PCT publication WO 97/02192, published Mar. 16, 1999 suggest a multiplelayer blister pack having a 2×8 array of individual, blister cavities.The pack has a lid foil layer connected to a base foil layer with twoparallel and offset rows of individual blisters, wherein perforationlines on each side of the lid foil divide the blister rows, andperforation lines, perpendicular to the lid foil layer divide eachoffset row. At each intersection of parallel and perpendicular,perforation lines, there is a notch cavity. In removing a pill from ablister cavity, an individual blister is separated from the pack alongthe perforation lines, exposing the layers underneath the notch cavity.The layers peel away from the blister cavity to dislodge the pill.

There is a need for a more advanced blister package. A package thatprovides adequate sealing and child safety, yet is manageable for anadult to easily open, while also incorporating the features of atreatment card, i.e. providing dosage instructions, safety precautions,etc. For example, the pharmaceutical treatment blister card may haveinstructional information printed on the packaging itself, or it maycontain all relevant information within the blister card to whichconsumers may refer. The pharmaceutical treatment blister card may alsocontain a compartment that enables the user to maintain a written logrelating to the usage of the product contained therein with as littleinconvenience as possible.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a pharmaceutical treatment blistercard, suitable for dispensing a pharmaceutical composition,characterized as:

-   -   a) interior and exterior layers having outer edges, the surface        of the interior layer comprises a hole therein, and the exterior        layer comprises a perforated-portion having the shape of a hole,        the interior layer overlays the exterior layer, wherein the hole        of the interior layer opposes the perforated-portion of the        exterior layer, a first portion of the interior and exterior        outer edges are affixed together to form a blister card having a        pocket there inside, an unaffixed, second portion of the        interior and exterior edges form a pocket entrance into the        card;    -   b) one or a plurality of blister cavities comprising a blister        layer having outer edges and a lidding layer having outer edges,        the edges of the blister and lidding layers are affixed        together, a raised void compartment is formed inside the edges        of the layers suitable for storage of a pharmaceutical        composition, the blister cavity is located in the pocket of the        blister card, the raised void compartment of the blister cavity        protruding through the hole of the interior layer, and the        lidding layer opposes the perforated-portion of the exterior        layer;    -   c) a removable security strip, the strip being inserted through        the pocket entrance into the pocket of the card between the        lidding layer of the blister cavity and the exterior layer of        the card, the security strip being within the edges of the        pocket entrance; and    -   d) a perforation strip sealing the interior and exterior edges        and pocket entrance of the blister card, wherein the removable        security strip is sealed inside the blister card to form the        pharmaceutical treatment blister card, wherein tearing the        perforation strip from the blister card, removing the security        strip, and pushing against the blister layer at the interior        layer forcing the lidding layer to rupture forcing the        perforated-portion of the exterior layer away from the card and        dislodging the pharmaceutical composition from the blister        cavity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view in elevation of pharmaceutical treatment blistercard section 10 having blister cavities 20 and 22, wherein securitystrip 32 is shown therein above;

FIG. 2 is an back view elevation of pharmaceutical treatment blistercard section 10 having perforated backing 18;

FIG. 3 is a side view in elevation of blister cavity 80;

FIG. 4 is a side view in elevation along section A-A of pharmaceuticaltreatment blister card 10 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a side view in elevation along section A-A of pharmaceuticaltreatment blister card 10, wherein blister cavity 40 has been broken andpharmaceutical composition 80 dislodged therefrom;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view in elevation of bi-fold card 80 of thepresent invention;

FIG. 7A is a perspective view in elevation of tri-fold card 90 of thepresent invention;

FIG. 7B is a top view in elevation of tri-fold card 90 of the presentinvention, wherein blister cavities of 2 card sections are verticallyaligned and staggered when the card is in the folded position; and

FIG. 8 is a front view in elevation of pharmaceutical treatment blistercard section 100, wherein individual blister cavities 120 and 121 areshown.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As used herein the term “uniform edge” is defined as edges of individuallayers that are attachable to one another to form a single structure,wherein the edges of exterior and interior layers of the multi-laminatedassembly may be affixed together to form a single unit assembly.

The term “multi-laminate assembly” is defined as a structure having aplurality of separate layers, affixed or unaffixed, operating togetherto form a single layered unit.

As used herein the term “proportionally dimension sides” means theexterior and interior layers of a multi-laminated assembly may beidentical in shape (e.g., rectangular, triangular, oval, elliptical,etc.) and size, or generally conform to similar shape but of differentsizes so that all the layers define the same general shape.

The term “interior layer” is defined as the inside surface of a cardsection containing blister cavity void compartment therein and slits forstoring literature sheets. The interior layer may contain indicia in theform of literature and instructional materials, as well as methods ofassisting a user to schedule dosage administration intervals.

The term “exterior layer” is defined as the outside surface of a cardsection that incorporates the perforation-portion in the shape of a holeopposite and adjacent to the lidding layer of the blister cavity. Theexterior layer may contain literature and instructional materials, aswell as methods of assisting a user to schedule dosage administrationintervals.

The terms “sealed” and “affixed” as used herein means attachment of theinterior and exterior layers of the card section, and attachment of theblister and lidding layers of the blister cavity. The blister cavitycompartment is defined as an air tight and moisture-proof compartmenthaving normally 2-3 year shelf life once the lidding layer and blisterlayer are attached.

As used herein the term “hinge means” or “pivoting means” means creases,lines or other folding properties incorporated into a pharmaceuticalcard, wherein the card sections may be folded or pivoted against oneanother along bifurcated outer card section edges.

The term “removable security strip” as used herein refers to a planarstrip that may be removably inserted into the pocket formed by affixinga portion of the outer edges of the interior and exterior cards. Thesecurity strip provides security and protection against child tampering(e.g. poking, biting, etc.,) by blocking removal of the composition fromblister cavity when pressure or force is applied thereto.

The terms “proximal” and “adjacent” as used herein refers to layers ofthe multi-laminated assembly that are sufficiently close or abutting oneanother within the assembly.

The phrase “cut-out” as used herein refers to a removed-portion of thetop, bottom or side edges of the interior and exterior layers that arein the form of a semi-circle or square approximating the size and shapeof the human thumb. The cut-out section exposes a section of theremovable security strip, i.e. pull-point, to aid in the removal of thesecurity strip.

The term “pull-point ” as used herein refers to an edge-portion of thesecurity strip opposing the cut-out of the interior and exterior layers,wherein the security strip may be removed from the pocket of the cardsection.

The present invention is directed to a pharmaceutical treatment blistercard suitable for dispensing a pre-measured dosage of a pharmaceuticalcomposition. The blister card may be characterized as containing atleast one whole medicament compartment, i.e. blister cavity, for storingat least one unit dosage of a medicament or pharmaceutical compositiontherein. The invention may be further characterized as a uniform edged,multiple layered, laminate assembly characterized by one or more blistercavities that are proportionally dimensioned and incorporated into acard. The multi-laminated assembly may be characterized as containing aninterior layer, blister layer, lidding layer, security card layer, andexterior layer, wherein the layers are in close proximity to oneanother.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a front view ofpharmaceutical treatment blister card 10 and security strip 32. The cardmay be characterized as a uniformly dimensioned, interior layer 12having outer edges 14 along the peripheral boundary thereof. Within thesurface of interior layer 14 are holes 20 and 22, and cut-out section30. Referring to FIG. 2, there is shown a rear view of pharmaceuticaltreatment blister card 10 that may be characterized as a uniformlydimensioned, exterior layer 16 having outer edges 18 along theperipheral boundary thereof. Within the surface of exterior layer 16 areperforated-portions 24 and 26 characterized by perforations 28, andcut-out 30. Typically, interior layer 12 and exterior layer 16 are ofsimilar dimensions so that the layer are mirror images of one anotherand outer edges 14 and 18 will oppose one another when overlaid. Uponoverlaying the interior and exterior layers, and affixing the edgesthereof, a card section is formed having pocket 19 formed between the2-layers (pocket 19 is shown in FIG. 1 as hidden lines 29). Securitystrip 32, shown in FIG. 1, containing pull-point 34 may be inserted intopocket 19 (between interior layer 12 and exterior layer 16).

In one preferred embodiment of the invention, individual card sectionshaving one or more blister cavities may be linked together by pivotingor hinge means to form multi-fold cards, e.g. bi-fold and tri-foldcards. The exterior and interior layers of the card section may befurther characterized as containing top, bottom and side edges. Theinterior and exterior card layers may be attached together at their top,bottom or side edges, leaving one side open so that an inner pocket isformed within the 2-layer assembly, wherein the blister cavitiescontaining the pharmaceutical composition, already sealed inside thecavities, may be inserted. Generally, several blister cavitycompartments may be fabricated from a single blister layer and liddingby methods known in the art. The blister cavity void containing thepharmaceutical composition may be visible through a hole in the interiorcard layer, wherein a void in the cavity protrudes beyond the interiorlayer surface. The exterior layer, directly opposite the blister cavity,may contain a perforation-portion in the general shape of an ellipse,oval, circle, square, etc. to facilitate removal of the composition fromthe cavity. Inside the inner pocket formed by the interior and exteriorcard layers, one or more blister cavities containing pharmaceuticalcomposition may be placed. Between the lidding layer of the cavities andthe exterior card layer of the multi-laminate structure, a removablesecurity card may be inserted into the pocket formed by sealing aportion of the outer edges of the card, wherein the security card fitswithin the pocket formed. Generally, the removable security card isplaced between the lidding layer of the blister cavity and the exteriorlayer of the card section so that the pharmaceutical composition withinthe blister cavity cannot easily be dislodged from the cavity, throughthe lidding layer, without removal of the security strip and breakingthe lidding layer. The strips are generally located between the liddinglayer of the blister package and the exterior layer of the card. Thewidth, length and shape of the security strip will generally extendbeyond the width of blister cavities, but with in the width of thepocket and its opening. After the security card is inserted into thepocket, the unsealed portion of the outer edges that form the pocket ofthe interior and exterior layers may be sealed, preferably with aperforation strip.

Referring to FIG. 3, there is shown a side view of blister cavity 40characterized blister layer 42 and lidding layer 44, wherein a cavityvoid is formed by sealing the outer edges of the 2-layers together,wherein pharmaceutical composition 80 is contained there between. Theblister cavity may be affixed between the interior and exterior layers,inside the pocket formed by the multi-laminate assembly. The blistercavity may be characterized as a 2-piece structure containing a frontside and back sides, sealed edges and one or more raised, blister cavitycompartments that extend through one or more holes in the surface of theinterior card layer. The blister layer of the blister card may be atransparent and flexible polymeric material having a plurality ofindividual blister cavity compartments formed therein. Typically, theblister cavity compartment is of sufficient volume or size to contain asingle, pre-measured dosage of a pharmaceutical composition therein,wherein the composition is typically a pill, tablet, capsule, powder orthe like. The blister cavity provides a void space between the blisterand the lidding layers. The blister and lidding layers may beconstructed of a polymeric material such as polyvinylchloride (PVC),polyvinyldenechloride (PVDC), polyolefins, polypropylene, aluminum foillaminate, polyacetal, polyolefins, polystyrene, and blends thereof.Alternatively, they may be made up of a non-transparent, not easilyrupturable, flexible material such as, a metal foil laminate (e.g.,PVC/aluminum/Nylon) with a thickness of foil from 15 microns to about 30microns thickness. Suitable thickness of the blister and liddingsuitable to prevent easy rupture. The blister cavities may be openedaccording to a method of tearing the perforation strip, removing thesecurity strip from the card section, and pushing the blister cavityfrom the interior layer side through the perforation-portion of theexterior layer.

Referring to FIG. 4, there is shown a side view of FIG. 1 taken alongsection A-A. The pharmaceutical treatment blister card of the inventionmay be characterized as a multi-laminated structure comprising interiorlayer 12 and exterior layer 16 having removable security strip 32inserted there between. Through hole 20 in interior layer 12-blistercavity 40 containing pharmaceutical composition 80 may be placed.Opposing blister cavity 40 in the multi-laminated structure isperforated-portion 24 in exterior layer 16 that opposite hole 20 ofinterior layer 12.

Perforation strip 50 that span the length of a pocket entrance of thepharmaceutical treatment blister card may be attached tounaffixed-portion of the exterior and interior layers that formed thepocket entrance of the card section to seal the removable securitystrips within the card section, thus preventing opening of the blistercavity therefrom. The security strip is removed by placing one or morefingers on the top area that is exposed by the cut-out sections of theinterior and exterior layers (referred to as pull-point) and pulling orlifting it out of the pocket. The pull-point may be marked in such a wayto indicate its location versus any other area on the outer edge of thepharmaceutical treatment blister card. Thereafter a force may be appliedto the blister cavity at the interior layer of the card section, forcingthe pharmaceutical composition against the lidding layer, which forcesthe perforation-portion of the exterior layer to separate therefrom, andliberating the composition from the blister cavity. The security stripmay be generally constructed of a paper or polymeric material suitablefor incorporating indicia in the form of printed media thereon.Typically, it may be fabricated from a paperboard or polymeric stockmaterials. The paperboard material may be selected from the groupconsisting of cardboard, bristle board and corrugated paper. Thepolymeric stock material may be suitably selected from polyacetal,polyolefins, polystyrene, polyvinylchloride and blends thereof; aparticularly preferred material in a paperboard.

Referring to FIG. 5, there is shown a side view of FIG. 1 taken alongsection A-A, wherein security strip 32 has been removed from themulti-laminated assembly, blister layer 42 has been forced intopharmaceutical composition 80, wherein the force causes the liddinglayer 44 of blister cavity 40 to rupture, the pharmaceutical compositionhas been dislodged from the treatment card, and perforation-portion 24has been dislodged from exterior layer 16. Prior to dislodging thepharmaceutical composition from the treatment card, the security stripmust be removed from pocket 19 of the card section formed by theinterior and exterior layers.

Referring to FIG. 6, there is shown a typical embodiment of theinvention, wherein the interior of bi-fold card 85 may be characterizedas card sections 86 and 87 attached by hinge means 88. On the interiorlayer of card section 87 is located slit 52 which forms a pocket betweenthe interior and exterior layers of the card section. The card sectionpocket is suitable for placement of literature sheets relating to dosingschedule or safety of the pharmaceutical composition. On the interiorside of card section 86 are incorporated blister cavities 20 and 22. Thetop edge of card section 85, covered by perforation strip 50, is thesecurity strip. To remove the pharmaceutical composition from the cardsection, perforation strip 50 must be torn from the top of the cardsection to expose the security strip. Thereafter, by grasping cut-out30, the security strip may be withdrawn from the pocket, and applying apressure force to the blister cavity at the interior layer of the cardsection, the pharmaceutical composition may be forced against thelidding layer of the cavity which forces the perforation-portion of theexterior layer therefrom to dislodge the composition from the treatmentcard. Without removal of the perforation strip from the card section,followed by removal of the security strip, and applying a force to theblister cavity at the interior layer of the card section, thecomposition is not removable from the pharmaceutical treatment blistercard.

The bi-fold card of the present invention may be characterized ascontaining at least two card sections, one or more card sections,characterized as:

-   -   a) interior and exterior layers having uniform outer edges,        wherein the surface of the interior layer comprises a hole        therein, and the exterior layer comprises a perforated-portion        having the shape of a hole, wherein the interior layer overlays        the exterior layer, wherein the hole of the interior layer        opposes the perforated-portion of the exterior layer, wherein a        first portion of the interior and exterior uniform outer edges        are affixed together to form a blister card section having a        pocket there inside, wherein an unaffixed, second portion of the        card edges form a pocket entrance into the card, wherein a        cut-out is formed about the outer edges of the pocket entrance        of the card;    -   b) one or a plurality of blister cavities, each cavity        comprising a blister layer having outer edges and a lidding        layer having outer edges, wherein the edges of the blister and        lidding layers are affixed together, wherein a raised, void        compartment is formed inside the edges of the layers suitable        for storage of a pharmaceutical composition, wherein the blister        cavity is located in the pocket of the blister card, the raised        void compartment of the blister cavity protruding through the        hole of the interior layer, and wherein the lidding layer        opposes the perforated-portion of the exterior layer;    -   c) a removable security strip having first and second ends,        wherein the pull point is located at the second end of the        strip, wherein the first end of the strip is inserted through        the pocket entrance into the card between the lidding layer of        the blister cavity and the exterior layer of the card, the        security strip being within the edges of the pocket entrance,        the pull point fitting within the outer edges of the pocket        entrance and being visibly exposed through the cut-out of the        card;    -   d) a perforation strip suitable for sealing the outer edges of        the card at the pocket entrance thereof, wherein the removable        security strip is sealed inside the outer edges of the blister        card to form a card section, and wherein the pull point is        covered by the perforation strip;    -   e) optionally, a card section having interior and exterior        layers, the layers having affixed outer edges to form a pocket        there between, wherein a slit in the interior layer provides a        pocket for storing literature sheets; and    -   f) hinge means attaching the outer edges of the at least two        card sections together to form a bi-fold pharmaceutical        treatment blister card,

wherein tearing of the perforation strip from the blister card exposesthe pull point of the security strip, pulling the pull point to removethe security strip from the pocket, and pushing the blister layerthrough the lidding layer of the blister cavity to force the liddinglayer to rupture and push the perforated-portion of the exterior layeraway there from to dislodges the pharmaceutical composition from thecard.

Referring to FIG. 7A, there is shown a perspective view of anotherembodiment of the present invention, tri-fold card 90 characterized bycard sections 92, 94 and 96. Card sections 92 and 94 incorporate blistercavities 100, 101, and 102, wherein the top edge of the card sectionsare sealed by a perforation strip 50 similar to card section 86 hereinbefore. The card sections are attached together by way of hinge means98, and card section 96, contains slit 97 suitable for storage ofliterature. In accordance with FIG. 7B, there is shown a top view oftri-fold card 90 in the folded position, wherein card sections 92, 94and 96 are atop one another. In the folded position, the blistercavities of the card are vertically aligned and cavity 102 is positionedbetween cavities 100 and 101.

In another embodiment of the invention, there is described a tri-fold,pharmaceutical treatment blister card characterized as containing atleast three card sections suitable for folding upon one another, one ormore card sections, comprising:

-   -   a) interior and exterior layers having uniform outer edges,        wherein the surface of the interior layer comprises one or more        holes therein, and the exterior layer comprises one or more        perforated-portions having the shape of one or more holes,        wherein the interior layer overlays the exterior layer, wherein        the holes of the interior layer opposes the perforated-portions        of the exterior layer, wherein a first portion of the interior        and exterior uniform outer edges are affixed together to form a        blister card section having a pocket there inside, wherein an        unaffixed, second portion of the card edges form a pocket        entrance into the card, wherein a cut-out is formed about the        edges of the pocket entrance of the card;    -   b) a plurality of blister cavities on the at least two card        sections, each cavity comprising a blister layer having outer        edges and a lidding layer having outer edges, wherein the edges        of the blister and lidding layers are affixed together, wherein        raised void compartments are formed inside the edges of the        layers suitable for storage of a pharmaceutical composition,        wherein the blister cavities are located in the pocket of the        blister card, the raised void compartments of the blister        cavities protruding through the holes of the interior layer and        the lidding layer opposing the perforated-portions of the        exterior layer;    -   c) a removable security strip having first and second ends a        pull point, wherein the pull point is located at the second end        of the strip, wherein the first end of the strip is inserted        through the pocket entrance into the pocket of the card between        the lidding layer of the blister cavity and the exterior layer        of the card, the security strip being within the edges of the        pocket entrance, the pull point fitting within the outer edges        of the pocket entrance and being visibly exposed through the        cut-out of the card;    -   d) a perforation strip sealing the pocket entrance of the        blister card, wherein the removable security strip is located        inside the pocket to form the pharmaceutical treatment blister        card, and wherein the pull point is covered by the perforation        strip;    -   e) optionally, a card section having interior and exterior        layers, the layers having outer edges, wherein the outer edges        of the layers are affixed together, wherein a slit in interior        layer provides a pocket for storing literature sheets; and    -   f) hinge means attaching the outer edges of the at least three        card sections together to form a tri-fold pharmaceutical        treatment blister card, wherein the hinge means is suitable for        folding sections of the card upon one another,

wherein tearing of the perforation strip from the blister card exposesthe pull point of the security strip, pulling the pull point to removethe security strip from the pocket, and pushing the blister layerthrough the lidding layer of the blister cavity to force the liddinglayer to rupture and push the perforated-portion of the exterior layeraway there from to dislodges the pharmaceutical composition from thecard.

In this as well as earlier described embodiment, preferably, the edgesof the interior and exterior layers of the cards are uniformlydimensioned, and a plurality of blisters may be located on the cardsections. Also, the card sections may be attached by hinge means, andliterature may be written on the interior and exterior layers of thecards. A section of the tri-fold pharmaceutical treatment blister cardmay contain at least one card section that has a slit in the interiorlayer thereof suitable for storage of literature relating to thepharmaceutical composition. The card may also contain a plurality ofblister cavities that are located in the interior layer of at least onecard section, and a plurality of blisters is located on two cardsections of a bi-fold or tri-fold card. In a more preferred embodimentof the invention, 2 card sections, attached at their edges by hingemeans, containing a plurality of blister cavities may be furthercharacterized by the blister cavities on at least 2 card sections arealigned in a staggered formation when the card sections are foldedagainst one another, as shown in FIG. 7B. Of course, the blistercavities will store a measured dosage of a pharmaceutical composition inthe form of capsules, tablets, powders, granules, etc. and combinationsthereof e.g. generally in a solid form. The blister cavity may contain aplurality of individually sealed, child resistant blister cavitycompartments arranged in an aligned and staggered manner, wherein whenone card sections are folded upon another, the cavities are aligned andaltered from card to card.

Generally, the card sections of the treatment card, that is the interiorand exterior layers, security strip, and perforation strip may befabricated from a material selected from paperboard, card board, bristleboard, corrugated paper, polymeric materials, metals, and combinationsthereof. These as well as other materials of construction will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art. The blister and lidding layers ofthe blister cavity may be fabricated from polymeric materials, metalfoils, and combinations thereof. Such polymeric materials include, butare not limited to low density polyethylene, an olefinic copolymer,polyvinylchloride, polyvinyldenechloride, polyolefins, polypropylene,polyesters, polylactic acid, polyacetals, polystyrene, and combinationsthereof; a particularly preferred material in a paperboard.

In one embodiment, a portion of the top edges and the bottom and sideedges of the interior and exterior layers of the card as well as theback of the blister layer and lidding layer of the blister package areformed into a unitary laminate. A heat seal coating is used to bond theedges of interior and exterior layers and the blister layers whereappropriate. The blister layer and lidding layer may be bonded togetherwith an adhesives that are generally constructed from a thermoplastic,binding material that is heat sealable to ensure that the layers arepermanently attached to one another. Other adhesives known in the artthat may be suitable for the present invention will become readilyapparent to those skilled in the art.

In another preferred embodiment of a tri-fold pharmaceutical treatmentblister card suitable dispensing a pharmaceutical composition, the cardmay be characterized as containing three card sections suitable forfolding upon one another, characterized as:

-   i) two card sections, further characterized as:    -   a) interior and exterior layers having uniform outer edges,        wherein the surface of the interior layer comprises a plurality        of holes therein, and the exterior layer comprises a plurality        of perforated-portions having the shape of the plurality of        holes, wherein the interior layer overlays the exterior layer,        wherein the plurality of holes of the interior layer opposes the        plurality of perforated-portions of the exterior layer, wherein        a first portion of the interior and exterior uniform outer edges        are affixed together to form a blister card section having a        pocket there inside, wherein an unaffixed, second portion of the        card edges form a pocket entrance-into the card, wherein a        cut-out is formed about the edges of the pocket entrance of the        card;    -   b) a plurality of blister cavities on the at least two card        sections, each cavity comprising a blister layer having outer        edges and a lidding layer having outer edges, wherein the edges        of the blister and lidding layers are affixed together, wherein        raised void compartments are formed inside the edges of the        layers suitable for storage of a pharmaceutical composition,        wherein the blister cavities are located in the pocket of the        blister card, the raised void compartments of the blister        cavities protruding through the holes of the interior layer and        the lidding layer opposing the perforated-portions of the        exterior layer, and wherein the plurality of blister cavities on        the two sections of the card are aligned in a staggered        formation when the two card sections comprising blister cavities        are folded against one another;    -   c) a removable security strip having first and second ends a        pull point, wherein the pull point is located at the second end        of the strip, wherein the first end of the strip is inserted        through the pocket entrance into the pocket of the card between        the lidding layer of the blister cavity and the exterior layer        of the card, the security strip being within the edges of the        pocket entrance, the pull point fitting within the outer edges        of the pocket entrance and being visibly exposed through the        cut-out of the card; and    -   d) a perforation strip sealing the pocket entrance of the        blister card, wherein the removable security strip is located        inside the pocket to form the pharmaceutical treatment blister        card, and wherein the pull point is covered by the perforation        strip; and-   ii) one card section, comprising interior and exterior layers, the    layers having outer edges, wherein the outer edges of the layers are    affixed together, wherein a slit in interior layer provides a pocket    for storing literature sheets; and-   iii) hinge means attaching the outer edges of the three card    sections together to form a tri-fold pharmaceutical treatment    blister card, wherein the hinge means is suitable for folding the    sections of the card upon one another,

wherein tearing of the perforation strip from the blister card exposesthe pull point of the security strip, pulling the pull point to removethe security strip from the pocket, and pushing the blister layerthrough the lidding layer of the blister cavity to force the liddinglayer to rupture and push the perforated-portion of the exterior layeraway there from to dislodges the pharmaceutical composition from thecard.

Alternatively, the blister package may be characterized as containing aplurality of child resistant blister cavity compartments that are sealedas a group, i.e. on security strip versus several strips per cardsection. In FIG. 8, there is provided a front view in relief of yetanother embodiment of the present invention, wherein card section 100may be characterized as having 2 separate blister cavities 120 and 121,2 separate cut-outs 130 and 131, and 2 separate pockets 140 and 141 (outlined by the dashed lines) for containing 2 separate security strips(not shown). Using this configuration, separate dosages of apharmaceutical composition may be removed from the card without reducingthe security of the remaining composition on the card section.Individual perforation strip as described herein earlier, suitable forenclosing the individual security strips is contemplated. Thepharmaceutical treatment blister card will generally containinstructions and aides to assist a patient in administering anindividual dosage of the pharmaceutical composition in a timely manner.These instructions and aides may be printed on the card itself.Alternatively, the blister card may contain an additional card sectioncontaining a slit therein to create a pocket for the storage ofadditional literature in the form of advertisement, instructions,calendars reminders, aides, etc. This additional chamber may contain oneor more blister cavities and the slit.

The pharmaceutical treatment card has the advantages of containing, inaddition to individual pre-measured dosages of a pharmaceuticalcomposition, indicia thereon to assist a patient in timely administerthe composition as scheduled. Generally, these cards may contain onecycle or weekly prescription (a single dosage per day) or one monthlyprescription (single or multiple dosages per week); preferably 1 or 2unit dosages per card section.

1. A pharmaceutical treatment blister card, suitable for dispensing apharmaceutical composition, comprising: a) interior and exterior layershaving outer edges, the surface of the interior layer comprises a holetherein, and the exterior layer comprises a perforated-portion havingthe shape of a hole, the interior layer overlays the exterior layer, thehole of the interior layer opposes the perforated-portion of theexterior layer, a first portion of the interior and exterior outer edgesare affixed together to form a blister card having a pocket thereinside, an unaffixed, second portion of the interior and exterior edgesform a pocket entrance into the card; b) one or a plurality of blistercavities comprising a blister layer having outer edges and a liddinglayer having outer edges, the edges of the blister and lidding layersare affixed together, a raised void compartment is formed inside theedges of the layers suitable for storage of a pharmaceuticalcomposition, the blister cavity is located in the pocket of the blistercard, the raised void compartment of the blister cavity protrudingthrough the hole of the interior layer, and the lidding layer opposesthe perforated-portion of the exterior layer; c) a removable securitystrip, the strip being inserted through the pocket entrance into thepocket of the card between the lidding layer of the blister cavity andthe exterior layer of the card, the security strip being within theedges of the pocket entrance; and d) a perforation strip sealing theinterior and exterior edges and pocket entrance of the blister card,wherein the removable security strip is sealed inside the blister cardto form the pharmaceutical treatment blister card, wherein tearing theperforation strip from the blister card, removing the security strip,and pushing against the blister layer at the interior layer forcing thelidding layer to rupture forcing the perforated-portion of the exteriorlayer away from the card and dislodging the pharmaceutical compositionfrom the blister cavity.
 2. The blister card according to claim 1,wherein a slit in interior layer of the card suitable for storingliterature sheets.
 3. The blister card according to claim 2, wherein theouter edges of the interior and exterior layers are uniformlydimensioned.
 4. The blister card according to claim 3, wherein aplurality of blisters are located on the card.
 5. The blister cardaccording to claim 4, wherein a plurality of cards are attached by hingemeans.
 6. The blister card according to claim 5, wherein literature iswritten on the interior and exterior layers of the cards.
 7. The blistercard according to claim 6, having a slit in the interior layer of thecard suitable for storage of literature in the pocket.
 8. The blistercard according to claim 7, wherein the interior and exterior layers,security strip, and perforated strip are fabricated from a materialselected from paperboard, card board, bristle board, corrugated paper,polymeric materials, and metals.
 9. The blister card according to claim8, wherein the blister and lidding layers are fabricated from a materialselected from polymeric materials, metal foils, and combinationsthereof.
 10. The blister card according to claim 9, wherein thepolymeric material is selected from low density polyethylene, anolefinic copolymer, polyvinylchloride, polyvinyldenechloride,polyolefins, polypropylene, polyesters, polylactic acid, polyacetals,polystyrene, and combinations thereof.
 11. The blister card according toclaim 10, wherein a plurality of cards are attached at the sealed edgesby hinge means to one another to form a multifold card suitable forformation of a pharmaceutical treatment kit.
 12. A bi-foldpharmaceutical treatment blister card suitable for dispensing apharmaceutical composition, characterized as containing at least twocard sections, one or more card sections, comprising: a) interior andexterior layers having uniform outer edges, wherein the surface of theinterior layer comprises a hole therein, and the exterior layercomprises a perforated-portion having the shape of a hole, wherein theinterior layer overlays the exterior layer, wherein the hole of theinterior layer opposes the perforated-portion of the exterior layer,wherein a first portion of the interior and exterior uniform outer edgesare affixed together to form a blister card section having a pocketthere inside, wherein an unaffixed, second portion of the card edgesform a pocket entrance into the card, wherein a cut-out is formed aboutthe outer edges of the pocket entrance of the card; b) one or aplurality of blister cavities, each cavity comprising a blister layerhaving outer edges and a lidding layer having outer edges, wherein theedges of the blister and lidding layers are affixed together, wherein araised, void compartment is formed inside the edges of the layerssuitable for storage of a pharmaceutical composition, wherein theblister cavity is located in the pocket of the blister card, the raisedvoid compartment of the blister cavity protruding through the hole ofthe interior layer, and wherein the lidding layer opposes theperforated-portion of the exterior layer; c) a removable security striphaving first and second ends, wherein the pull point is located at thesecond end of the strip, wherein the first end of the strip is insertedthrough the pocket entrance into the card between the lidding layer ofthe blister cavity and the exterior layer of the card, the securitystrip being within the edges of the pocket entrance, the pull pointfitting within the outer edges of the pocket entrance and being visiblyexposed through the cut-out of the card; d) a perforation strip suitablefor sealing the outer edges of the card at the pocket entrance thereof,wherein the removable security strip is sealed inside the outer edges ofthe blister card to form a card section, and wherein the pull point iscovered by the perforation strip; e) optionally, a card section havinginterior and exterior layers, the layers having affixed outer edges toform a pocket there between, wherein a slit in the interior layerprovides a pocket for storing literature sheets; and f) hinge meansattaching the outer edges of the at least two card sections together toform a bi-fold pharmaceutical treatment blister card, wherein tearing ofthe perforation strip from the blister card exposes the pull point ofthe security strip, pulling the pull point to remove the security stripfrom the pocket, and pushing the blister layer through the lidding layerof the blister cavity to force the lidding layer to rupture and push theperforated-portion of the exterior layer away there from to dislodgesthe pharmaceutical composition from the card.
 13. The bi-foldpharmaceutical treatment blister card according to claim 12, wherein theedges of the interior and exterior layers are uniformly dimensioned. 14.The bi-fold pharmaceutical treatment blister card according to claim 13,wherein a plurality of blister cavities are located on the card.
 15. Thebi-fold pharmaceutical treatment blister card according to claim 14,wherein the plurality of blister cavities on the at least two cardsections are aligned so that when the card is folded, the cavities onthe cards are alternatively arranged.
 16. The bi-fold pharmaceuticaltreatment blister card according to claim 15, wherein the card sectionsare attached by hinge means.
 17. The bi-fold pharmaceutical treatmentblister card according to claim 16, wherein literature is written on theinterior and exterior layers of the cards.
 18. The bi-foldpharmaceutical treatment blister card according to claim 17, wherein atleast one card section has a slit in the interior layer of thereofsuitable for storage of literature relating to the pharmaceuticalcomposition.
 19. The bi-fold pharmaceutical treatment blister cardaccording to claim 18, wherein a plurality of blister cavities arelocated in at least one card section.
 20. The bi-fold pharmaceuticaltreatment blister card according to claim 19, wherein the plurality ofblisters is located on two card sections thereof.
 21. The bi-foldpharmaceutical treatment blister card according to claim 20, wherein theplurality of blisters on two sections of the card are aligned in astaggered formation.
 22. The bi-fold pharmaceutical treatment blistercard according to claim 21, wherein the blister cavities contain thepharmaceutical composition.
 23. The bi-fold pharmaceutical treatmentblister card according to claim 22, wherein the pharmaceuticalcomposition is in a form selected from pills, capsules, tablets, andcombinations thereof.
 24. The bi-fold pharmaceutical treatment blistercard according to claim 23, wherein the interior and exterior layers,security strip, and perforated strip are fabricated from a materialselected from paperboard, card board, bristle board, corrugated paper,polymeric materials, metals and combinations thereof.
 25. The bi-foldpharmaceutical treatment blister card according to claim 24, wherein theblister and lidding layers are. fabricated from a material selected frompolymeric materials, metal foils, and combinations thereof.
 26. Thebi-fold pharmaceutical treatment blister card according to claim 24,wherein the polymeric material is selected from low densitypolyethylene, an olefinic copolymer, polyvinylchloride,polyvinyldenechloride, polyolefins, polypropylene, polyesters,polylactic acid, polyacetals, polystyrene, and combinations thereof. 27.The bi-fold pharmaceutical treatment blister card according to claim 25,wherein the polymeric material is selected from low densitypolyethylene, an olefinic copolymer, polyvinylchloride,polyvinyldenechloride, polyolefins, polypropylene, polyesters,polylactic acid, polyacetals, polystyrene, and combinations thereof. 28.A tri-fold pharmaceutical treatment blister card suitable dispensing apharmaceutical composition, characterized as containing at least threecard sections suitable for folding upon one another, one or more cardsections, comprising: a) interior and exterior layers having uniformouter edges, wherein the surface of the interior layer comprises one ormore holes therein, and the exterior layer comprises one or moreperforated-portions having the shape of one or more holes, wherein theinterior layer overlays the exterior layer, wherein the holes of theinterior layer opposes the perforated-portions of the exterior layer,wherein a first portion of the interior and exterior uniform outer edgesare affixed together to form a blister card section having a pocketthere inside, wherein an unaffixed, second portion of the card edgesform a pocket entrance into the card, wherein a cut-out is formed aboutthe edges of the pocket entrance of the card; b) a plurality of blistercavities on the at least two card sections, each cavity comprising ablister layer having outer edges and a lidding layer having outer edges,wherein the edges of the blister and lidding layers are affixedtogether, wherein raised void compartments are formed inside the edgesof the layers suitable for storage of a pharmaceutical composition,wherein the blister cavities are located in the pocket of the blistercard, the raised void compartments of the blister cavities protrudingthrough the holes of the interior layer and the lidding layer opposingthe perforated-portions of the exterior layer; c) a removable securitystrip having first and second ends a pull point, wherein the pull pointis located at the second end of the strip, wherein the first end of thestrip is inserted through the pocket entrance into the pocket of thecard between the lidding layer of the blister cavity and the exteriorlayer of the card, the security strip being within the edges of thepocket entrance, the pull point fitting within the outer edges of thepocket entrance and being visibly exposed through the cut-out of thecard; d) a perforation strip sealing the pocket entrance of the blistercard, wherein the removable security strip is located inside the pocketto form the pharmaceutical treatment blister card, and wherein the pullpoint is covered by the perforation strip; e) optionally, a card sectionhaving interior and exterior layers, the layers having outer edges,wherein the outer edges of the layers are affixed together, wherein aslit in interior layer provides a pocket for storing literature sheets;and f) hinge means attaching the outer edges of the at least three cardsections together to form a tri-fold pharmaceutical treatment blistercard, wherein the hinge means is suitable for folding sections of thecard upon one another, wherein tearing of the perforation strip from theblister card exposes the pull point of the security strip, pulling thepull point to remove the security strip from the pocket, and pushing theblister layer through the lidding layer of the blister cavity to forcethe lidding layer to rupture and push the perforated-portion of theexterior layer away there from to dislodges the pharmaceuticalcomposition from the card.
 29. The tri-fold pharmaceutical treatmentblister card according to claim 28, wherein the edges of the interiorand exterior layers are uniformly dimensioned.
 30. The tri-foldpharmaceutical treatment blister card according to claim 29, wherein aplurality of blisters are located on the card section.
 31. The tri-foldpharmaceutical treatment blister card according to claim 30, wherein thecard sections are attached by hinge means.
 32. The tri-foldpharmaceutical treatment blister card according to claim 31, whereinliterature is written on the interior and exterior layers of the cards.33. The tri-fold pharmaceutical treatment blister card according toclaim 32, wherein at least one card section has a slit in the interiorlayer of thereof suitable for storage of literature relating to thepharmaceutical composition.
 34. The tri-fold pharmaceutical treatmentblister card according to claim 33, wherein a plurality of blistercavities are located in at least one card section.
 35. The tri-foldpharmaceutical treatment blister card according to claim 34, wherein theplurality of blisters is located on two card sections thereof.
 36. Thetri-fold pharmaceutical treatment blister card according to claim 35,wherein the plurality of blister cavities on at least two sections ofthe card are aligned in a staggered formation when at least of the cardsections comprising blister cavities are folded against one another. 37.The tri-fold pharmaceutical treatment blister card according to claim36, wherein the blister cavities contain the pharmaceutical composition.38. The tri-fold pharmaceutical treatment blister card according toclaim 37, wherein the pharmaceutical composition is in the form ofpills, capsules, tablets, and combinations thereof.
 39. The tri-foldpharmaceutical treatment blister card according to claim 38, wherein theinterior and exterior layers, security strip, and perforated strip arefabricated from a material selected from paperboard, card board, bristleboard, corrugated paper, polymeric materials, and metals.
 40. Thetri-fold pharmaceutical treatment blister card according to claim 39,wherein the blister and lidding layers are fabricated from polymericmaterials, metal foils, and combinations thereof.
 41. The tri-foldpharmaceutical treatment blister card according to claim 39, wherein thepolymeric material is selected from low density polyethylene, anolefinic copolymer, polyvinylchloride, polyvinyldenechloride,polyolefins, polypropylene, polyesters, polylactic acid, polyacetals,polystyrene, and combinations thereof.
 42. The tri-fold pharmaceuticaltreatment blister card according to claim 40, wherein the polymericmaterial is selected from low density polyethylene, an olefiniccopolymer, polyvinylchloride, polyvinyldenechloride, polyolefins,polypropylene, polyesters, polylactic acid, polyacetals, polystyrene,and combinations thereof.
 43. A tri-fold pharmaceutical treatmentblister card suitable dispensing a pharmaceutical composition,characterized as containing three card sections suitable for foldingupon one another, comprising: i) two card sections, comprising: a)interior and exterior layers having proportionally dimension edges anduniform outer edges, wherein the surface of the interior layer comprisesa plurality of holes therein, and the exterior layer comprises aplurality of perforated-portions having the shape of the plurality ofholes, wherein the interior layer overlays the exterior layer, whereinthe plurality of holes of the interior layer opposes the plurality ofperforated-portions of the exterior layer, wherein a first portion ofthe interior and exterior uniform outer edges are affixed together toform a blister card section having a pocket there inside, wherein anunaffixed, second portion of the card edges form a pocket entrance intothe card, wherein a cut-out is formed about the edges of the pocketentrance of the card; b) a plurality of blister cavities on the at leasttwo card sections, each cavity comprising a blister layer having outeredges and a lidding layer having outer edges, wherein the edges of theblister and lidding layers are affixed together, wherein raised voidcompartments are formed inside the edges of the layers suitable forstorage of a pharmaceutical composition, wherein the blister cavitiesare located in the pocket of the blister card, the raised voidcompartments of the blister cavities protruding through the holes of theinterior layer and the lidding layer opposing the perforated-portions ofthe exterior layer, and wherein the plurality of blister cavities on thetwo sections of the card are aligned in a staggered formation when thetwo card sections comprising blister cavities are folded against oneanother; c) a removable, proportionally dimension security strip havingfirst and second ends a pull point, wherein the pull point is located atthe second end of the strip, wherein the first end of the strip isinserted through the pocket entrance into the pocket of the card betweenthe lidding layer of the blister cavity and the exterior layer of thecard, the security strip being within the edges of the pocket entrance,the pull point fitting within the outer edges of the pocket entrance andbeing visibly exposed through the cut-out of the card; and d) aperforation strip sealing the pocket entrance of the blister card,wherein the removable security strip is located inside the pocket toform the pharmaceutical treatment blister card, and wherein the pullpoint is covered by the perforation strip; and ii) one card section,comprising interior and exterior layers, the layers having outer edges,wherein the outer edges of the layers are affixed together, wherein aslit in interior layer provides a pocket for storing literature sheets;and iii) hinge means attaching the outer edges of the three cardsections together to form a tri-fold pharmaceutical treatment blistercard, wherein the hinge means is suitable for folding the sections ofthe card upon one another, wherein tearing of the perforation strip fromthe blister card exposes the pull point of the security strip, pullingthe pull point to remove the security strip from the pocket, and pushingthe blister layer through the lidding layer of the blister cavity toforce the lidding layer to rupture and push the perforated-portion ofthe exterior layer away there from to dislodges the pharmaceuticalcomposition from the card.